Acute respiratory tract infections of children in hospital: a viral and Mycoplasma pneumoniae profile.

Respiratory specimens and blood were collected from all infants and children admitted with acute respiratory illness to a paediatric unit in Christchurch from May to November (late autumn, winter and spring) 1983, to define the viral aetiological agents involved. A virus or Mycoplasma pneumoniae was identified in 160 (50%) of 317 children studied by the rapid indirect immunofluorescence, virus culture and/or serological techniques. Aetiological agents were detected in 71% of children with bronchiolitis, 57% with pneumonia, 53% with bronchitis, 40% with laryngotracheitis (croup), and 45% with upper respiratory tract illness. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most frequently identified virus, confirming the importance of this virus as a cause of respiratory illness requiring hospitalisation of young children in Christchurch. An epidemic due to influenza A/Dunedin/7/83 (HINI) and A/New Caledonia/4/83 (HINI) viruses occurred during the study period.